Interfaith of The Woodlands and the YMCA of Greater Houston are collecting school supplies in preparation for the approaching 2017-18 school year. Required school supplies can cost up to $200 per student. However, more than 25 percent of children in the Greater Houston area age 17 and under live in poverty, said Heather Saucier, director of media relations for the YMCA of Greater Houston. Operation Backpack, an initiative of the YMCA of Greater Houston, is one of Texas’ largest back-to-school supply drives, Saucier said. In its 13th year, Operation Backpack is aiming to reach its highest goal to date by giving school supplies and new backpacks to 120,000 children in need. Last year, the YMCA delivered backpacks and supplies to more than 105,000 children. Thirty-six school districts in the Houston area, including Conroe ISD, will benefit from the event, and donations will be accepted beginning July 11 until Aug. 11. Interfaith of The Woodlands already kicked off its annual Kits4Kidz school supply and backpack drive July 7 during the “Spider-Man: Homecoming” movie premier at Market Street with Audi North Houston, a Sewell Company. Representatives with the car dealership collected backpacks and school supplies for Interfaith with their “Stuff the Audi” campaign during the premier. “We are grateful for the support of Audi North Houston and encourage other businesses, individuals and organizations to get involved as well,” said Missy Herndon, Interfaith of The Woodlands president and CEO. “Every student deserves to start school prepared with the necessary items to ensure a successful school year.” With Interfaith’s Kits4Kidz program expecting to serve over 2,000 children in the south Montgomery County area of Conroe ISD this August, the nonprofit is encouraging the community to organize school supply and backpack drives to meet the growing need. Distribution will begin in early August. Monetary and item donations can also be made online or by visiting Interfaith of The Woodlands at 4242 Interfaith Way. A $65 donation provides children in need with the necessary school supplies, including a backpack, to start the year. In addition to receiving school supplies and a new backpack, every child enrolled in Interfaith’s Kits4Kidz program will also receive a voucher to the Hand Me Up Shop for a first day of school outfit. For more information about Operation Backpack, visit www.ymcahouston.org/operation-backpack. For more information about Kits4Kidz, visit woodlandsinterfaith.org. To host a school supply drive in association with Interfaith, contact Robert Reyes at 832-615-8229 or [email protected].